Against a backdrop of growing geopolitical instability, multiple social fractures and an accelerating climate change crisis, the Committee has set out key recommendations for the European Commission, which is expected to adopt its 2027 work programme in October.
Ahead of the UN Water Conference 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a plenary debate with EU Commissioner for Environment and Water Resilience Jessika Roswall. The EESC calls for water to be treated as a strategic resource for Europe’s economy, security and global role.
The European Economic and Social Committee is calling on the European Union to adopt a long-term, dedicated strategy and increase funding for its eastern border regions, warning that they face security, economic and demographic pressures that exceed the scope of existing policy tools.
During a plenary debate at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the European Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera stressed the strategic importance of the Circular Economy Act for Europe’s future.This point was underlined by the EESC members who called for circularity to be put at the heart of Europe’s competitiveness and resilience agenda. It should be seen not only as an environmental objective but also an economic and geopolitical strategy.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a high-level experts’ debate on the European battery industry which called for urgent and coordinated action to strengthen Europe's battery ecosystem and secure its industrial future. By combining strategic investment, innovation, industrial capacity and social responsibility, the battery transition can become a genuine European success story.
Priorities including housing, competitiveness, tech regulation, and better including citizens in democratic decision making among areas of joint work launched.
A week ahead of the EU-Western Balkans summit, the European Economic and Social Committee held a conference in Vienna sending a clear message: civil society is essential for building trust between institutions and citizens and between the European Union and the region.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held an open day to celebrate Europe and highlight the important role played by organised civil society in the achievements of the European Union.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a high-level debate demonstrating that culture is not a luxury, but a strategic asset for democracy, social cohesion and Europe’s economic resilience. Speakers call for stronger political recognition and sustained investment to turn ambition into action.
The European Economic and Social Committee warns that expanding supplementary pensions must not weaken public pension systems. In recommendations to the European Commission, it calls for a balanced approach that strengthens both systems. Adopted in April, the EESC’s opinion supports the development of workplace and personal pension schemes, but stresses that they must remain complementary to public pensions. It calls for action at both national and European level to improve labour markets, reinforce public systems and increase trust in additional pension savings.
